The Home Working Policy

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In 2005 (later revised in 2007 and 2008) Bolton Council introduced its home working policy as part of the wider flexible working strategy. The policy applies to all employees of the Council but particularly for white collar workers where the traditional office can be replicated in the home. The home working policy sets out its key components and provides:  Definitions and assumed benefits of occasional, regular and mobile based home workers  Eligibility criteria for staff to work from home  Practical considerations for effective home working  Responsibilities for managers, staff and HR to support home working Background Bolton Council recognising that changes to the traditional working pattern can be driven either by the employee, service needs or both has in place a comprehensive home working policy as part of the wider flexible working strategy. However, the policy makes it clear that home working is “not a replacement for child or elder care. Employees with caring responsibilities should make alternative arrangements to ensure these responsibilities are managed should they wish to work from home” (Bolton Council, 2008). According to the Assistant Director, HR, Bolton Council, the policy was designed back in 2005 because “It was the thing in HR, to give the people the flexibility in times and places that they worked..So it was the councils response as a modern employer to support staff..It was nice to have without any particular strategic aim”. Subsequently the policy was strengthened as part of the council’s efficiency agenda and its objective to reduce the property footprint. 2.1 Definition Effective use of ICT can make location dependant working a thing of the past. Home working capitalises on th... ... middle of paper ... ...ing communication with the employee so that they are aware of an engaged with organisational developments • Conducting regular reviews DMT are responsible for: • Championing flexible working • Considering recommendations for homeworking • Approving or rejecting homeworking applications • Ongoing monitoring and reviewing the effectiveness of homeworking arrangements. Staff wishing to work from home are responsible for: • Completing the necessary application and assessments • Complying with health and safety • Information security • Informing management of any changes to homeworking arrangements The homeworking policy is a large document which contains not only policy statements but also processes, procedures and all relevant application forms which the homeworkers and manager are required to fill out when making an application for homeworking.

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